Landscape patterns of phenotypic variation and population structuring in a selfing grass, Elymus glaucus (blue wildrye)

2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (12) ◽  
pp. 1776-1789 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicky J Erickson ◽  
Nancy L Mandel ◽  
Frank C Sorensen

Source-related phenotypic variance was investigated in a common garden study of populations of Elymus glaucus Buckley (blue wildrye) from the Blue Mountain Ecological Province of northeastern Oregon and adjoining Washington. The primary objective of this study was to assess geographic patterns of potentially adaptive differentiation in this self-fertile allotetraploid grass, and use this information to develop a framework for guiding seed movement and preserving adaptive patterns of genetic variation in ongoing restoration work. Progeny of 188 families were grown for 3 years under two moisture treatments and measured for a wide range of traits involving growth, morphology, fecundity, and phenology. Variation among seed sources was analyzed in relation to physiographic and climatic trends, and to various spatial stratifications such as ecoregions, watersheds, edaphic classifications, etc. Principal component (PC) analysis extracted four primary PCs that together accounted for 67% of the variance in measured traits. Regression and cluster analyses revealed predominantly ecotypic or stepped-clinal distribution of genetic variation. Three distinct geographic groups of locations accounted for over 84% of the variation in PC-1 and PC-2 scores; group differences were best described by longitude and ecoregion. Clinal variation in PC-3 and PC-4 scores was present in the largest geographic group. Four geographic subdivisions were proposed for delimiting E. glaucus seed transfer in the Blue Mountains.Key words: Elymus glaucus, morphological variation, local adaptation, seed transfer, seed zones, polyploid.

1989 ◽  
Vol 19 (8) ◽  
pp. 1004-1013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert K. Campbell ◽  
William A. Pawuk ◽  
Arland S. Harris

Microgeographic genetic variation among populations of Sitka spruce on Mitkof Island in southeastern Alaska is described. In two common-garden environments, we evaluated genotypes of 208 parent trees from 114 locations in a 17 000-ha area. Two principal components accounted for most of the variation among locations in 11 traits measured to evaluate growth vigor and rhythm of 2-year-old seedlings. Regression analyses of factor scores derived from principal components revealed genetic gradients associated with elevation, slope, aspect, and west–east and north–south direction. Large amounts of additive genetic variation in factor scores occurred among trees within locations. When this variation within locations was used as a scale, variation among locations was also large. In an extreme case, locations differed in factor scores of the first principal component by about 3.0 units of the standard deviation of additive genetic variation in factor scores. Of the total differentiation in this case, elevational range (600 m) contributed 0.7 units of standard deviation, aspect contributed 0.9 units, and distance (16 km) from north central to southeastern parts of the island contributed 1.4 units.


Botany ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 91 (10) ◽  
pp. 686-694 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.C. Johnson ◽  
Barbara C. Hellier ◽  
Ken W. Vance-Borland

The choice of germplasm is critical for sustainable restoration, yet seed transfer guidelines are lacking for all but a few herbaceous species. Seed transfer zones based on genetic variability and climate were developed using tapertip onion (Allium acuminatum Hook.) collected in the Great Basin and surrounding areas in the United States. Bulbs from 53 locations were established at two common garden sites and morphological (such as leaf and scape dimensions), phenological (such as bolting date and flowering), and production traits (such as emergence and seeds per plant) were measured. Differences among source locations for plant traits within both common gardens were strong (P < 0.001), indicating genetic variation. Principal component 1 (PC 1) for phenological traits, with R2 = 0.59, and PC 1 for production traits, with R2 = 0.65, were consistently correlated with annual, maximum, minimum, and average temperature, annual precipitation, and frost-free days at source locations (P < 0.05). Regression of PC 1 phenology and PC 1 production scores with source location climates resulted in models with R2 values of 0.73 and 0.52, respectively. Using a geographic information system, maps of these models were overlaid to develop proposed seed zones to guide the choice of germplasm for conservation and restoration of tapertip onion across the collection region.


1991 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 1491-1500 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. E. Rehfeldt

Models were developed to describe genetic variation among 201 seedling populations ofPinusponderosa var. ponderosa in the Inland Northwest of the United States. Common-garden studies provided three variables that reflected growth and development in field environments and three principal components of six variables that reflected patterns of shoot elongation. Regression models were developed for describing genetic variation across the landscape. Using functions of latitude, longitude, and elevation as descriptors, these models produced values of R2 that were as large as 0.66, while averaging 0.39. The models described genetic variation as occurring along relatively steep elevational clines and gentle geographic (i.e., latitudinal and longitudinal) clines. An exercise at validating the models with independent data supported their veracity. Predictions made by the models are applied to limiting seed transfer, designing breeding zones, planning gene conservation programs, interpreting phenotypic variation, and predicting the effects of environmental change on the adaptedness of populations.


Weed Science ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 431-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yujie Zhao ◽  
Xuejun Yang ◽  
Xinqiang Xi ◽  
Xianming Gao ◽  
Shucun Sun

Phenotypic plasticity and rapid evolution are two important strategies by which invasive species adapt to a wide range of environments and consequently are closely associated with plant invasion. To test their importance in invasion success of Crofton weed, we examined the phenotypic response and genetic variation of the weed by conducting a field investigation, common garden experiments, and intersimple sequence repeat (ISSR) marker analysis on 16 populations in China. Molecular markers revealed low genetic variation among and within the sampled populations. There were significant differences in leaf area (LA), specific leaf area (SLA), and seed number (SN) among field populations, and plasticity index (PIv) for LA, SLA, and SN were 0.62, 0.46 and 0.85, respectively. Regression analyses revealed a significant quadratic effect of latitude of population origin on LA, SLA, and SN based on field data but not on traits in the common garden experiments (greenhouse and open air). Plants from different populations showed similar reaction norms across the two common gardens for functional traits. LA, SLA, aboveground biomass, plant height at harvest, first flowering day, and life span were higher in the greenhouse than in the open-air garden, whereas SN was lower. Growth conditions (greenhouse vs. open air) and the interactions between growth condition and population origin significantly affect plant traits. The combined evidence suggests high phenotypic plasticity but low genetically based variation for functional traits of Crofton weed in the invaded range. Therefore, we suggest that phenotypic plasticity is the primary strategy for Crofton weed as an aggressive invader that can adapt to diverse environments in China.


2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara L Wilson ◽  
Jay Kitzmiller ◽  
Wayne Rolle ◽  
Valerie D Hipkins

Genetic variation in the self-fertile, allotetraploid grass Elymus glaucus Buckley was assessed using isozymes in 133 populations from southwestern Oregon and from the San Francisco Bay area and central Sierra Nevada mountains in California. Elymus glaucus was highly (98.5%) homozygous but also highly variable; 77% of loci were polymorphic, and the mean number of alleles per locus was 2.96. Populations were highly differentiated, with 40% of variation among populations. Geographic and genetic distances among populations were not correlated, except that populations collected within 5 km were generally more similar than average. Genetic distance among populations could not be predicted from geographic distance, geographic location, foliage pubescence, serpentine substrate, or habitat moisture. However, two genetic clusters, associated with elevation, did emerge. The taxonomic status of Elymus glaucus ssp. jepsonii (Burtt Davy) Gould, based on leaf pubescence, was not supported.Key words: Elymus glaucus, isozyme, genetic variation, Poaceae, polyploid, seed transfer.


2013 ◽  
Vol 62 (1-6) ◽  
pp. 86-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Loya-Rebollar ◽  
C. Sáenz-Romero ◽  
R. A. Lindig-Cisneros ◽  
P. Lobit ◽  
J. A. Villegas-Moreno ◽  
...  

AbstractIn order to determine the genetic variation among populations of Pinus hartwegii along altitudinal gradients, and the possible adaptive decoupling due to climatic change, a common garden test was set up with 13 provenances collected along an altitudinal transect (3150 to 3750 masl; collection sites were every 50 m of altitudinal difference) from Pico de Tancítaro, Michoacán, west-central Mexico. The test evaluated trees aged 4.5 to 5.5 years, and contemporary and future (year 2030; six model-emission scenarios) climate variables were estimated. We found significant (P<0.005) differences among populations in total elongation, final seedling height, basal diameter, rate of elongation, dry weight of needles, branches and stem, total dry weight and first principal component. We found a significant association between population performance, expressed as first principal component values, and their climate, where the best climatic predictor was the frost free period (r2=0.90, P<0.0001). This result indicates that the patterning of genetic differentiation among populations is strongly associated with a climatic and altitudinal gradient. We propose a re-delineation of fixed climatic and altitudinal seed zoning for seed and seedling movement, based on intervals of 26 days of difference of frost free period: Zone 1, from 240 to 214 days of frost free period or 12 to 11°C or 3150 to 3350 masl; Zone 2, 214 to 188 days or 11 to 10°C or 3350 to 3550 masl; and Zone 3, 188 to 162 days or 10 to 9°C or 3550 a 3750 masl. Projecting at what altitude will occur the same frost free period values by year 2030, we suggested that populations should be shifted 400 m attitudinally upward, through a program of assisted migration, aiming to realign the populations to the climate for which they are adapted. Seedling deployment should use future (year 2030) fixed seed zones, with the same projected climatic interval values than contemporary climate, although at the following altitudinal limits: Zone 12030, from 3550 to 3750 masl; Zone 22030, 3750 to 3950 masl; and Zone 32030, 3950 to 4150 masl.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvio Schueler ◽  
Jan-Peter George ◽  
Sandra Karanitsch-Ackerl ◽  
Konrad Mayer ◽  
Raphael Thomas Klumpp ◽  
...  

Intraspecific genetic variation in drought response is expected to play an important role in determining the persistence of tree populations in global change as it (1) allows for spontaneous selection and local adaptation of tree populations, (2) supports assisted seed transfer of less-drought-sensitive provenance, and (3) enables the integration of drought-sensitivity traits into tree breeding. Estimating the potential of such adaptation options requires quantitative genetic knowledge of drought sensitivity across significant parts of species distributions and a comparative assessment of genetic variation within economically and ecologically important tree species. We quantified genetic variation within and among populations of four conifers growing within common garden experiments in the drought-prone eastern Austria. This region experienced three strong drought periods between 1980 and 2010 that resulted in significant reductions in radial growth. Among the four tested species, Douglas-fir revealed the highest resistance during drought and silver fir the best recovery after drought, while European larch and Norway spruce showed the lowest resistance. High genetic variation among populations and phenotypic stability across all three drought events was found for Norway spruce and silver fir, but not for the other species. Heritability and evolvability of drought traits, both approximated via genetic repeatability, revealed strong differences among populations of all four species. Repeatability and evolvability for resistance were highest in Norway spruce and, for recovery, highest in European larch. Our comparison indicates that the mean drought sensitivity of a species is not related to the intraspecific genetic variation in drought response. Thus, also highly drought-sensitive species, such as Norway spruce and European larch, harbor significant genetic variation in drought response within and among populations to justify targeted tree breeding, assisted gene flow, and supportive forest management to foster local adaptations to future conditions.


2016 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 781-788 ◽  
Author(s):  
Srdjan Stojnic ◽  
Sasa Orlovic ◽  
Danijela Miljkovic ◽  
Wuehlisch von

European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is one of the most important tree species in Europe. Due to substantial genetic diversity and phenotypic plasticity, beech has successfully adapted to different environments within its natural range. Provenance tests provide a good basis for studying within- and between-provenance genetic variation, due to homogeneous within-trial environmental conditions. The aim of the present study was to determine the within- and between-provenance genetic variability of certain leaf morphological traits among eleven beech provenances, grown in a common garden experiment. Univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test for differences among the studied beech provenances. Principal component analysis (PCA) allowed a complex assessment of the relationships among the provenances and an estimation of multivariate relations among the analyzed characters. The results of the study revealed the existence of substantial variability among provenances (p<0.001). Likewise, high genetic variability was observed at the intra-provenance level (p<0.001). The first three principal components (PC1-PC3) explained approximately 81% of the total variance among the European beech provenances tested. The highest contribution on PC1 corresponded to variables related to leaf size: leaf area (-0.882) and leaf width (-0.876). Based on the position of provenances on a PCA scatter plot, it could be assumed that European beech is characterized by a more ecotypic pattern of genetic variation rather than by clinal variation. Also, the presence of considerable genetic diversity within provenances will be important in the light of climate change impact on beech, since it could potentially facilitate rapid adaptation.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Anunciacao ◽  
janet squires ◽  
J. Landeira-Fernandez

One of the main activities in psychometrics is to analyze the internal structure of a test. Multivariate statistical methods, including Exploratory Factor analysis (EFA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) are frequently used to do this, but the growth of Network Analysis (NA) places this method as a promising candidate. The results obtained by these methods are of valuable interest, as they not only produce evidence to explore if the test is measuring its intended construct, but also to deal with the substantive theory that motivated the test development. However, these different statistical methods come up with different answers, providing the basis for different analytical and theoretical strategies when one needs to choose a solution. In this study, we took advantage of a large volume of published data (n = 22,331) obtained by the Ages and Stages Questionnaire Social-Emotional (ASQ:SE), and formed a subset of 500 children to present and discuss alternative psychometric solutions to its internal structure, and also to its subjacent theory. The analyses were based on a polychoric matrix, the number of factors to retain followed several well-known rules of thumb, and a wide range of exploratory methods was fitted to the data, including EFA, PCA, and NA. The statistical outcomes were divergent, varying from 1 to 6 domains, allowing a flexible interpretation of the results. We argue that the use of statistical methods in the absence of a well-grounded psychological theory has limited applications, despite its appeal. All data and codes are available at https://osf.io/z6gwv/.


HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 534e-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Staub ◽  
Felix Sequen ◽  
Tom Horejsi ◽  
Jin Feng Chen

Genetic variation in cucumber accessions from China was assessed by examining variation at 21 polymorphic isozyme loci. Principal component analysis of allelic variation allowed for the depiction of two distinct groupings of Chinese accessions collected in 1994 and 1996 (67 accessions). Six isozyme loci (Gpi, Gr, Mdh-2, Mpi-2, Pep-gl, and Pep-la) were important in elucidating these major groups. These groupings were different from a single grouping of Chinese 146 accessions acquired before 1994. Allelic variation in Chinese accessions allowed for comparisons with other accessions in the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System (U.S. NPGS) collection grouped by continent and sub-continent. When Chinese accessions taken collectively were compared with an array of 853 C. sativus U.S. NPGS accessions examined previously, relationships differed between accessions grouped by country or subcontinent. Data indicate that acquisition of additional Chinese and Indian cucumber accessions would be strategically important for increasing genetic diversity in the U.S. NPGS cucumber collection.


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